Media

For any specific media inquiries, media sponsorship opportunities or media specific events leading up to and during the AFC Festival, please contact:

Tel: 778.340.0749
Email: festivalinfo[at]artistsforconservation.org

Media kit is avaliable upon request.

​2018 AFC Festival:

AFC's 2018 Festival will be held in Vancouver, BC August 22 - 25th, 2018 at the Vancouver Convention Centre - in partnership with the IOCongress and the inaugural Vancouver International Bird Week. We're expecting over 50 AFC artists to attend along with 2,000 scientists/ delegates and 25,000 public visitors. On August 20, a “bird” parade through downtown Vancouver will kick things off. Put the dates in your calendar and book your hotel early! Don't wait this is a truly special event with tourism, the city and many others supporting it.

We are the official partner for IOCongress and the Vancouver Bird Festival for 2018.

AFC is an international group of artists comprising some 500 of the world's most gifted nature and wildlife artists supporting the environment.​ 2018 will mark the 8th year of the AFC Festival in Vancouver.

The Festival features the world's top conservation-themed art exhibit with nearly 94 original artworks for sale with up to 40% of the proceeds supporting conservation, art expo, art demos, live performances, birds of prey, talks and more. AFC's 100-foot-long Silent Skies mural of 678 endangered birds by AFC artists and AFC's Silent Skies youth mural will be unveiled during the event.

Many artists are traveling to attend the event. Public can meet artists, learn about wildlife conservation issues and directly support conservation work through the purchase of artwork.

Help us spread the word about the #AFCFestival2018, connect with us on social media.

Silent Skies Mural Project:

AFC artists from around the globe are collaborating to create a 100-ft super-mural featuring all 678 endangered species of bird, to be unveiled at the #AFCFestival2018 this August in Vancouver​. A limited number of canvas giclee editions of each will be available for sale both at the event and online.

2017 AFC Festival:

The seventh annual AFC Festival is presented by RE/MAX Western Canada - a signature international cultural event featuring 4-days of art and environmental education, the premier of AFC's annual exhibit, live artist demos and wildlife viewing and much more. The event will take place at VanDusen Botanical Gardens from November 9 - 12th, 2017.

Get inspired by over 87 original paintings and sculptors by 84 leading international artists from 15 countries, live music, guest lectures, painting demos and cultural performances. Learn about wildlife conservation issues and directly support conservation work through the purchase of artwork.

The festival combines a strong regional cultural program featuring a roster some of BC's most talented visual and performing artists, musicians, filmmakers (including First Nations carving and cultural presentations), with a line-up of guest artists from around the world. Some events require advance registration. For more information, visit http:www.artistsforconservation.org/festival

Help us spread the word about the #AFCFestival2017, connect with us on social media.

About VanDusen Botanical Garden

Van Dusen Botanical Garden is one of Vancouver's top attractions and most naturally stunning venues. Centrally located, the facility features a 55-acre garden of 7300 plants with a state-of-the-art "living building" visitor centre, and its satellite facility a few blocks away - the Bloedel Conservatory - a domed "biosphere" featuring 3 biomes, more than 200 free-flying exotic birds, and over 500 exotic plants and flowers, within its climate-controlled environment. Learn more.

CTV Coverage:

CTV interview with Jeff Whiting and Pollyanna Pickering

Watch CTV interview with Jeff Whiting and Guy Combes.

Festival Highlights:

World’s top annual conservation-themed exhibit of nature-inspired art by over 80 master artists from around the globe, including world-renowned artists such as Robert Bateman, Pollyanna Pickering, Richard Ellis, and Guy Harvey.

Five days of inspiring art and environmental education with master artists, sharing their techniques and perspectives on art, nature, and their conservation work.

A rare opportunity to meet the masters and see them in action during intimate live demonstrations during the festival, and special events: AFC Gala and Meet-the-Artists Wine & Cheese.

Screenings of AFC’s documentary film including the world premiere of a new release.

First Nations cultural education and performances, live music, guest lecturers, guided gallery tours, and much more...

Festival Commercial:

Artists for Conservation Foundation:

Artists for Conservation (AFC) is the world’s leading group of artists supporting the environment. Founded in 1997, the non-profit organization comprises a membership of 500 of the world’s most gifted nature artists from 27 countries, across five continents. Dedicated to nurture, promote and leverage its world-class community of artists in support of our natural world, AFC drives its mission through three key programs: Art & Environmental Education; Field Work & Research; and Artist Development. The Artists for Conservation Festival is AFC’s annual flagship initiative to showcase, support and further these programs. For more information, visit http:www.artistsforconservation.org

About Jeffrey Whiting:

Jeff Whiting is the President and founder of the Artists for Conservation Foundation (AFC) - the world's leading artist group supporting the environment. With a background in biology and geology, Jeff is an award-winning sculptor, author, social entrepreneur and environmental advocate. At 16, the Canadian Prime Minister presented one of Jeff's sculptures to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. At 18, Jeff completed his first book and won first prize at the World Championships for Wildfowl Carving. Most recently, Jeff was inducted as a Fellow into the Explorer's Club and was a recipient of Business in Vancouver’s 2010 Forty under 40 Awards. Whiting is the Executive Director and founder of the Artists for Conservation Festival and first annual BC Conservation Symposium.

Quotes by Whiting:

"The AFC Festival is an artistic, cultural and educational experience that captures the social climate of concern for the planet today," said Jeff Whiting, founder and President of Artists for Conservation. "The festival is also an opportunity to learn more about those leading organizations working to protect wildlife and wild places in BC and around the globe." - Jeff Whiting, AFC President & Founder

“Artists play a central role in conservation.They are a voice for vanishing wildlife and wild places" - Jeff Whiting, AFC President & Founder

"We're excited to have presenters from some of the top conservation organizations speaking at the first symposium," said Jeff Whiting, founder of Artists for Conservation." Attendees will benefit tremendously from our line-up of speakers' expertise and insights on the state of conservation in BC. AFC places great importance on facilitating collaboration and dialogue to broaden knowledge and engagement. The delegates will have the opportunity to engage with some of the well-respected leaders in conservation during the day." - Jeff Whiting, AFC President & Founder

About Us

Artists for Conservation is a Canada-based international non-profit, with a mission is to support wildlife and habitat conservation and environmental education through art that celebrates nature.

Through international art exhibits, collaborative art-science expeditions, festivals, awards and online initiatives, AFC informs and inspires the public to conserve our natural heritage. Among its membership, AFC serves to foster artistic excellence and empower passionate artists as effective ambassadors for the environment.